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Selling Yourself in an Interview

Congratulations, you got the interview! Clearly the hiring manager saw something in your resume and cover letter than earned you a coveted interview slot. Now the challenge is to sell yourself.

It is important to do your research on the company so you have insightful questions prepared. You can also practice answering commonly asked interview questions to help you be prepared. But, it is often the questions they don’t ask directly that make or break the decision. Being aware of those questions and how they impact your responses can be critical to your success.

Interviewers will ask a lot of questions about your past work. They may also ask behavioral questions to see how you handle certain situations. Bottom line, what they really want to know is:

Why they should hire you?

What you can do for them that others can’t?

How well do you fit their organization and team?

Ensure that in your responses to questions about your work, education, skills etc. that you are really answering these underlying questions. Articulate clearly the skills, expertise and experience you bring that would enable you to succeed in this position. Demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company. While they are assessing your fit with their team you need to form your own opinion of how well you fit the culture of the company and the specific work team.

Focus on your transferable skills. Highlight the results you delivered in your previous work. Results are much more important and impactful than responsibilities. Clearly articulate your skills that differentiate you from other candidates. Use your passion and enthusiasm as a differentiator. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your strong interest by having questions prepared, having held networking meetings with employees of the company, identifying alumni within the organization, and your knowledge of what’s going on in the company and the industry.

To assess fit think about what environment enables you to do your best work. Are you a team collaborator or an individual contributor? What do you need from manager? How would your current manager and colleagues describe you? Do you research in advance about the culture using online resources and your networking contacts and seek to confirm that information in your interview by observing how people work together. It can be very revealing to arrive a few minutes early and watch the interaction or lack there off among the employees.

When considering your answers to interview questions, be sure to frame your responses in light of what employers really want to know. A great way to end your interview is to ask, “what concerns do you have about me as a candidate for this position.” While it can be scary to hear what they consider obstacles, asking the question demonstrates your strong interest and gives you an opportunity to address those issues or concerns. You can leave the interviewers with a very positive impression on your way out the door.